The firefighter who was in charge of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) response on the day of the Croydon tram crash has reflected on the tragedy a year on.

The LFB control room was first called at 6.11am on November 9 last year and told of an incident near the Sandilands tram stop, on Addiscome Road.

Just four minutes earlier, the two-carriage tram carrying around 70 people came off the tracks, crashed onto its side and slid for 25 metres.

The first fire crews arrived on scene within minutes and soon discovered the true extent of the derailment, with it immediately becoming clear that a number of people had died, and that many more were injured.

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More tram crash news

The situation was soon declared a major incident by both the British Transport Police and the LFB.

Assistant Commissioner Andy Roe, who was incident commander on the day, called the derailment one of the “most challenging” incidents he has ever been a part of.

Firefighters at the scene of the tram crash on November 9, 2016 (Image: London Fire Brigade)

He said: “It really impacted the local community on a cold and wet November morning.

“It was the first major tram crash with loss of life since the 1800s and those commuters would have never imagined what they were going to face on their way to work. Our thoughts remain with those who were injured in the crash and those who lost loved ones.

“I also want to thank the crews who worked alongside me that morning. As a firefighter you never know what you’re going to attend and this was one of the most challenging incidents many of them would have ever faced.

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“Those first crews arrived and quickly got to work on a challenging rescue with a 60 tonne tram on its side in the rain [and] pitch dark. Firefighters were outstanding and worked tirelessly to rescue as many people as quickly and as safely as possible.

“They showcased rescue skills which are among the best in the world. To carefully lift [the tram] and rescue those savable lives from the tram took real professional understanding of how the tram was going to react and meant incredible teamwork to achieve that within 90 minutes.”

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“The incident will have a lasting impact on the area, the victims and their families and the firefighters who attended,” AC Roe said.

“The 150 firefighters attending were contacted by counselling and welfare with some receiving more long-term support, their welfare being incredibly important.

“The last 12 months have been like nothing I’ve seen before in my fire service career. But I am confident we will continue to evolve and respond to London’s ever changing threats.”

The seven people who tragically lost their lives in the Croydon tram crash

A civic memorial took place in Market Square on Central Parade at 10.30am this morning (Thursday, November 9) to remember the victims and those impacted by the derailment.

For the latest updates throughout the day follow our live blog by clicking here.

*If you were affected by the tram crash and want to share your story, please email sam.truelove@croydonadvertiser.co.uk, call 01737 305557 or tweet @samtruelove1. All contact will be treated with the utmost sensitivity